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Sleep-Away Camp
BFF
Day Camp
Survive & Thrive
Family Camp
LIT

Leaders-in-Training

Ages: 16
Location: Stillwater, NJ
Duration: 2 Weeks

Part of the Sleep-Away Camp Program

The Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Program offers young people a chance to grow as leaders, set and accomplish personal goals, learn effective techniques for leading children in a camp setting, and participate in unique activities not typically offered to other Nejeda campers.

Two teenage boys sitting outside, holding smartphones displaying a 112 emergency number alert. They are smiling and appear to be in a backyard with a picnic table, lush green trees, and houses in the background.
A group of nine young girls smiling and posing together outdoors near a wooden cabin and trees.
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Program Highlights

Special Trips: May include amusement parks, adventure courses, a meal out of camp, or even a hike.
Meetings with Guest Speakers: In 2025, LITs in Cohort B met with a representative of The Diabetes Link who spoke with them about transitioning to college with T1D and the resources at their disposal.
Camp Counselor Training: LITs are assigned a counselor mentor and group of campers to spend a portion of their day with to learn about and experience what it is like to be a counselor at Nejeda. They will also receive basic counselor training with the Camp Directors and Health Center.
Experiential and Project Based Learning: Through contributions to the camp community, activities, group discussion, projects, and mentorships, LITs will learn leadership skills that will help them grow in the camp setting and prepare for life after high school.

2026 Dates
Cohort A: Sunday, July 5 - Friday, July 17
Cohort B: Sunday, August 2 - Friday, August 14

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Application Process - The 2026 application will be live in November

  1. Submit an application online

  2. Obtain three (3) references:  LIT Reference Form - Send this link to your references

    LIT applicants are required to submit THREE references from non-family members such as a teacher, coach, scout leader, clergy person, etc. prior to application review. References from family members will not be accepted.

    *Applications are only considered complete and ready for review after ALL references are received.

  3. Upon review, camp leadership will reach out to schedule virtual interviews in February.

  4. If an LIT is admitted to the program, families will receive special instructions for completing the registration process.


The fine print:
We accept 12 applicants; 6 per cabin group, into each cohort. Selection decisions are made based on behavior/performance in previous camp sessions (if applicable), the application, references, and a formal interview. All application-related communications and forms must be the work of the applicant.

Submission of an application or completion of an interview does not guarantee an acceptance into the LIT program. Acceptance into the LIT program does not guarantee employment for future summers, however past LIT participants who have gone on to work as counselors have found this program helpful in preparing them for the transition from camper to staff.

Applicants who are not accepted into the program are still welcome to attend as campers this summer and apply to work at camp once age-eligible.

  • Absolutely!

  • While applicants may disclose a preference in the application, we cannot guarantee acceptance to a specific cohort. While we do try our best to keep in our consideration, accommodating scheduling conflicts and friend groups of every applicant is almost impossible. Applicants who are open to participating in either cohort are at an advantage since there are more possible spaces available to them.

  • LITs live in cabins separate from regular campers. This is because they follow a slightly different schedule, including a later lights out time. Each LIT cabin is staffed by 2 counselors.

  • LITs manage their own diabetes at camp under the supervision of a dedicated LIT nurse. If the following procedures are not followed, the Health Center Director or Endocrinologist may suggest a shift in responsibility to the counselors and LIT nurse.

    • Carry a bag fully stocked for self-management

    • Is independent in mealtime BG, carb & insulin administration

    • Manages own highs & lows between meals according to camp policies

    • Enters own data onto eSpecSheet for meals, highs, & lows

    LITs have full use of their cell phones to manage their diabetes and access the eSpecSheet.

  • Newly graduated LITs are eligible to work during the programs that follow the regular camp season:

    BFF Weekend: August 17 - 19
    August Family Camp: August 21 - 23
    Labor Day Family Camp: August 30 - Sep 1
    Mini Family Camp: October 11

    Completion of the program does not guarantee employment. A formal interview with the Camp Director will be required and performance in the LIT program is taken into consideration.

    In following years, a staff application will be required.

Frequently Asked Questions